Awkward moment Eurosport commentator confuses Serena Williams’ Reddit co-founder husband for ‘personal umbrella holder’
THIS is the awkward moment a Eurosport commentator called Serena Williams’ husband an “umbrella holder”.
Tennis superstar Williams, 42, took part in the opening ceremony for the Paris Games.
However, the weather didn’t pay much mind to that fact as rain poured down throughout.
While on the red carpet, Serena stunned in a glamorous red dress.
She was joined by husband Alex Ohanian on the carpet, who chivalrously held up an umbrella for her to keep from getting wet, and six-year-old daughter Olympia.
But Eurosport presenter Laura Woods – making her first appearance on TV since announcing the wonderful news of her pregnancy – made a gaffe by failing to recognise him.
On commentary for the red carpet showing, she said: “She (Serena) looks absolutely incredible. She’s got someone just behind us holding an umbrella.
“Those are the levels you aspire to. To have an actual umbrella holder behind you.”
Regardless of the mix-up, Ohanian continued to hold up the umbrella as the camera panned to show them in front of the Eiffel tower.
In a red carpet interview he admitted not many people know who he is despite being the co-founder of popular social media site Reddit.
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He said: “More people know me for the pancakes I do than for creating Reddit, and you know what, I’m OK with that.”
Williams is said to have a cool net worth of £233million.
And Ohanian is also estimated to have a tidy worth of £116m.
As well as umbrella holding duties, Ohanian had also been seen taking pictures of Williams earlier on.
Speaking about her husband, she said: “The greatest investor ever, the greatest Instagram husband ever, greatest husband ever.”
What's happening today at The Games?
WHAT TO WATCH TODAY...
THE PARIS 2024 Olympics started with a stunning Opening Ceremony – and now the Games really do begin.
SunSport brings you all the action taking place in the French capital on a thrilling first full day.
Josh Tarling and Anna Henderson are both in road cycling time trial action along the streets of Paris (from 1.30pm), leading today’s Brit medal hopes.
Michael Bargeron and Seonaid McIntosh team up in the 10m mixed shooting trying to win the first gold of the 2024 Games (10am).
In diving, 3m synchro pair Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen could medal (10am).
And Team GB expect a medal from their swimmers in both of the 4x100m freestyle relays (8.30pm).
While three-time Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty begins his quest for 100m breaststroke glory (heat 10.30am, semi-final 8.15pm).
And Max Whitlock is eyeing a pommel horse medal for a fourth Games in a row as gymnastics qualifying gets underway (10am).
Click here for all the events taking place at Paris 2024 today.
Follow all the action as it unfolds with our Paris 2024 Olympics LIVE blog.
Team USA‘s tennis medal hopes are being headed by Coco Gauff in Paris – who received the honour of being a flagbearer for the Stars and Stripes.
Williams said: “It’s amazing. Isn’t that great? I’m so excited to see her tonight. I’m just so happy for her. Oh god, I love it.”
Other big stars involved in flag bearing activities were fellow tennis legend Rafael Nadal, footballer Zinedine Zidane and rapper Snoop Dogg.
Part of the journey saw Williams on a boat carrying the Olympic torch, although fans were left convinced she was “about to puke” when going under a bridge.